Tennessee State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- Regarding photo identification to vote, there are still many Tennesseans, many of which are seniors, that may not have a photo ID issued by the state or federal government. For example, I have a friend is around 65 years old that has a VALID TN drivers license with no photo. We need to change our laws in TN regarding valid IDs before we start turning folks away from the polls.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- No

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Tennessee?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Tennessee?
- No

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Tennessee high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- a) Education standards - I am not opposed to using a "common" set of standards suggested by the federal government as a foundation for developing standards in Tennessee; however, involvement from Tennessee teachers regarding the development and implementation of the standards are critical.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- No Answer

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Tennessee's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- a) with the help of the drug companies that make/made them.e) it depends on what type of vaccination and how it potentially could impact public health.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Tennessee's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Tennessee's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by Tennessee state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Should Tennessee permit localities to adopt "Sanctuary City" immigration policies?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- 1) Expand Medicaid - Gov. Haslam's "Insure Tennessee" is already paid for via the federal government and TN Hospital Association. Cost to take care of >300,000 Tennesseans, including >40,000 veterans, is $0.00! The money coming back to TN via expansion would help fight our opioid crisis and provide more mental health services.2) Protect and Fully Fund Public Education by defeating any measures that promotes public charter schools or use of vouchers. Additionally, promote career-based vocational education.3) Enhance School Safety by ensuring we have an adequate number of Student Resource Officers in EVERY school in TN. NO armed teachers!